Hello Friends and Family,

Yippee!  Another year has gone by and I am still here! Unfortunately ovarian cancer is also still a grave threat to the women in our lives.  Our team Julie's Gems is again participating in the 2022 SummeRun & Walk for Ovarian Cancer benefiting the life-saving work of the Rivkin Center.   We run, walk, honor, and celebrate together (IN PERSON FINALLY) for all women: daughters, moms, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, and even baby girls yet to be born — so that they are ensured a chance to thrive, and live healthy lives.  

As you all know, 7 years ago I battled this horrible disease.  I was stage 3C when I was diagnosed.  This is advanced and could have been a death sentence.  I was lucky and responded well to treatment.  Although recurrence is common, I have been extremely fortunate so far to be happy and healthy, living a life I could not have dreamed of when I was first diagnosed.  So many of you have been a part of this wonderful life and have supported me yearly in my quest to support the Rivkin Center.

Ovarian cancer remains the fifth leading cause of cancer deaths among women in the United Staes and the deadliest of all gynecologic cancers.  Unlike other cancers, the incidence and mortality in ovarian cancer has changed only incrementally over the past 50 years.  This is primarily due to the lack of an accurate early detection test for the disease.  The Rivkin Center has funded over 15 million in grants to ovarian cancer researchers throughout the world and educated more than 40,000 people on early detection signs and symptoms.

What you can do to support us:

1.  Click on Donate Now and give what you can-$35 adds up quick! 

2.  Click on Join the Team and register for Julie's Gems. The cost to register is $35 and that can be your donation. If  you wish to add on, you will be given the option to do so.

3.  All Julie's Gems team members are invited to attend our 5K walk/run on July 17th at beautiful Seward park.  The program will start at 8am, the walkers and runners will start at 9AM.  Parking may be tough so you might want to carpool, ride a bike, uber or park a few blocks away and walk down.  Some of us will likely be riding from our house in Renton.

No one can beat ovarian cancer alone, but, with your support, we can help save women's lives.  Please feel free to contact me, julieduggan@comcast.net if you have questions.